djscruggs wrote:Roy_okc....thanks for that callout re: arbor size. is 5/8 " an unusual size for blades? Will that be difficult to find in a big box store. This would be an easy mistake for me to make thinking "one size fits all".
Also, I think I understand that I can get either an 8" or 10" blade for the 500. Is that correct? Any other 500 cautions?
d
5/8" is the standard size for blade arbors. The Shopsmith ships with a 1-1/4" hole blade and arbor. This larger size is much less common, although a few blade manufacturers, such as Forest, offer them as an extra-cost option.
If you want to be able to use the typical 5/8" hole blades, you'd need a the 5/8" arbor for the 500. The 510/520/Mark 7 arbors are slightly longer (I think) than the 500. Before buying, you might check to see what you already have, as a lot of owners have purchased them. Here is the link to SS's arbor page:
https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... arbors.htmWith a 5/8" arbor, you can indeed use smaller blades, just realize that you lose depth capacity. I've seen some old woodworkers who use as small as 7-1/4" blades on their table saws for reasons ranging from lower blade cost to slower speed at the blade edge to improvement in low HP table saws. You can get 7-1/4" Freud Diablo blades for $10-20 that would suit many needs and are pretty decent.
RoyMark V/510, Mark V/500 with parts for 510 upgrade, bandsaw, jointer, belt sander, DC3300 w/1 micron bag
Home designed and built CNC router, another CNC router

desktop size
Laser engraver
Way too much other stuff and not enough space